| squill | 1. <botany> A European bulbous liliaceous plant (Urginea, formerly Scilla, maritima), of acrid, expectorant, diuretic, and emetic properties used in medicine. Called also sea onion. Any bulbous plant of the genus Scilla; as, the bluebell squill (S. Mutans). 2. <zoology> A squilla. A mantis. Origin: F. Squille (also scille a squill, in sense 1), L. Squilla, scilla, Gr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| squilla | <zoology> Any one of numerous stomapod crustaceans of the genus Squilla and allied genera. They make burrows in mud or beneath stones on the seashore. Called also mantis shrimp. Origin: L, a sea onion, also, a prawn or shrimp. (10 Mar 1998) |